Introduction

This Olive Garden Salad brings the fresh, vibrant flavors of a classic restaurant favorite right to your home kitchen. Crisp lettuce, colorful vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing come together to create a crowd-pleasing side dish that’s easy to prepare.

A clear textured bowl filled with a fresh salad layered with green leafy lettuce at the base, topped with red tomato slices, black olives, crunchy golden-brown croutons, and yellow pepperoncini peppers scattered throughout. A silver spoon held by a woman's hand is pouring a creamy, pale yellow dressing over the salad. In the bowl, two wooden salad spoons rest on the right side against a white marbled background. The textures range from crisp lettuce to smooth dressing and crunchy croutons, creating a colorful and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 cups chopped lettuce
¼ cup red cabbage (shredded)
¼ cup carrots (julienne)
¼ cup red onion
½ cup black olives
2 roma tomatoes (sliced)
1/3 cup pepperoncinis
1 cup croutons
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil (smooth preferred)
1 (.7 oz.) packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1/3 cup white vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese (or Parmesan)
3 teaspoons sugar
1 ½ teaspoons mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the dressing ingredients—olive oil, Zesty Italian Dressing Mix, white vinegar, water, Romano cheese, sugar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder—in a mini food processor or a jar with a lid. Blend or shake well until emulsified, then cover and refrigerate.
Step 2: Prepare the salad ingredients by chopping the lettuce, shredding red cabbage, julienning carrots, slicing red onion and roma tomatoes, and gathering black olives and pepperoncinis. Use a paper towel to pat excess moisture from the tomato slices to keep the salad crisp.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, red onion, black olives, tomatoes, and pepperoncinis. Set aside the dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Drizzle the salad with your desired amount of dressing and toss gently to combine. You likely won’t need all the dressing—add it gradually to taste. Sprinkle croutons and grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
Step 5: Enjoy your salad as a perfect side dish, especially alongside rich entrees like Alfredo pasta.

Tips & Variations

Use paper towels to dry tomatoes well; removing excess moisture keeps the salad from becoming soggy.
Try adding sliced cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
For a tangier dressing, increase the amount of white vinegar slightly.
Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
If you prefer a robust olive oil flavor, feel free to use that instead of smooth olive oil.

Storage

Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Keep salad ingredients separate until ready to serve to maintain freshness. Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed immediately but can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours. Toss again before serving if the dressing settles.

How to Serve

A fresh salad served in a clear glass bowl, layered with bright green leafy lettuce as the base, topped with vibrant red tomato slices, dark purple olives, and crunchy golden-brown croutons scattered across. There are also yellow pepperoncini peppers and thin slices of purple onion mixed in. The salad is sprinkled lightly with white grated cheese and drizzled with creamy dressing. Two wooden salad spoons rest on the edge of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, the dressing can be made and refrigerated for up to one week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using, as ingredients may separate.

What’s the best way to keep the salad crisp?

Keep the salad ingredients and dressing separate until serving, and use paper towels to blot moisture from tomatoes and other juicy vegetables. Toss gently just before serving to preserve crispness.